We are Watching You, From a Distance

Unprecedented Police and Military Presence on Bali to Safeguard the UN Climate Change Conference December 3 – 14, 2007.

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(12/14/2007)

Saying that Indonesia's international reputation depends on maintaining safety during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Bali Post provided a pre-conference summary of the extensive security precautions now in place on the Island.

Drills using aircraft, mobile brigades, marine corps members and foot soldiers have all been undertaken in an effort to address every possible threat to holding a successful conference. At least 12,000 police and 7,000 Indonesian military personnel will be on duty during the conference to be centered at Nusa Dua December 3-14, 2007.

Hundreds of special police and military vehicles have been deployed to Bali covering an entire range from escort motorcycles, tanks, bomb disposal units and special operational vehicles. Specially trained K-P corps dogs will also be on assignment at all the Island's gateways and main meeting venues for the conference.

By Land, Sea and Air

Police artillery-equipped patrol boats including the KP Baladewa, KP Bisma and KP Kresna will be cruising the waters around the Island throughout the conference. At least five helicopters will be conducting active patrols near the meeting venues, prepared and practiced to perform VIP and victim evacuations, if a developing situation dictates.

On the ground, the Bali Police will have no less than 900 motorcycles and 135 four-wheeled vehicles on constant patrol. Special crowd control barrier units are on stand by. VIP movements will be facilitated through the deployment of at least 30 escort units.

17 canine unites employing dogs trained in crowd control, explosives detection and perimeter protection will be on duty with their handlers.

Conference Central – Nusa Dua

Sophisticated screening devices and inspection procedures are now in operation at the entrance to the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) Complex at Nusa Dua. Normally staffed by BTDC Security Personnel, the entrance gates to Nusa Dua will have an armed police and military contingent assisting in checking every vehicle, motorcycle and backpack entering the conference complex.

Special screening devices have also been installed at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport including X-rays units capable of reviewing the contents of an entire shipping containers. Protestors seeking to disrupt traffic or the proceedings of the conference will face the daunting prospect of an entire fleet of rapid-deployment barbed-wire trailers and thousands of Mobile Brigade soldiers equipped and trained to deal with unruly crowds.

Within the BTDC Complex an entire city of tents have been built to house NGO and supporting players at the Conference.